Harman Music Selects Cirrus Logic Audio Codecs to Deliver High-Performance Digital Recording Capability

Business Wire, Oct 10, 2003

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

Audio Engineering Society Convention

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 10, 2003

Professional and amateur musicians alike can soon take their recording capabilities to a higher level, with the introduction of two Harman Music Group modeling processors featuring the industry-leading performance of Cirrus Logic Inc.'s (Nasdaq:CRUS) stereo codecs.

Harman Music Group, located in Salt Lake City and part of the Harman International Company (NYSE:HAR), has selected the Cirrus(R) CS4271 codec to deliver high-performance audio solutions in its new RPx400 Modeling Guitar Processor and Vx400 Modeling Vocal Processor, both with USB computer interface.

The RPx400 is the first modeling floor guitar processor with true two-way computer connectivity and extra I/O to handle vocals, other instruments and monitoring, giving guitarists complete digital computer recording capability. The Vx400 vocal effects processor enables vocalists to record vocal tracks and includes multiple vocal "character" selections, modeling of 16 different pro microphones, an integrated drum machine and 19 programmable instrument effects. Both products include a USB recording interface, through which musicians can turn their computer into a professional, hands-free multi-track recording workstation.

Each processor features dual Cirrus(R) CS4271 integrated audio codecs that perform stereo analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion of up to 24-bit serial values at sample rates up to 192 kHz. The single-chip solution delivers cost efficiency and system simplification as well as reduced space requirements in board designs. The CS4271's wide dynamic range, negligible distortion and low noise ensure the highest analog performance on the market and excellent sound quality.

"Our goal with the CS4271 was to offer exceptionally high performance in a simplified design and at an affordable cost," said Jason Rhode, director of Analog Products Marketing, Cirrus Logic. "By incorporating the Cirrus technology, Harman Music is taking the capabilities of its recording products to the next level."

Priced below $400 and marketed under its DigiTech brand, the processors are available through Harman's network of authorized DigiTech dealers. "Whether professional or amateur, our customers are serious musicians who demand high-performance products," said Noel Larson, director of Channel Marketing -- Retail, Harman Music Group. "We chose Cirrus for its proven leadership in delivering high-end audio capabilities. The Cirrus chips enable us to offer dynamic sound quality and true digital recording capabilities, at a competitive price."

Cirrus Logic Inc.

Cirrus Logic is a premier supplier of high-performance analog, mixed-signal and digital processing solutions for consumer entertainment electronics, automotive entertainment and industrial product applications. Building on its global market leadership in audio ICs and its rich mixed-signal patent portfolio, Cirrus Logic targets audio, video and precision mixed-signal applications in these growing markets. The company operates from headquarters in Austin, Texas, with offices in California, Colorado, Europe, Japan and Asia. For more information visit www.cirrus.com.

Harman Music Group Inc.

Salt Lake City-based Harman Music Group Inc. designs, manufactures and markets signal-processing equipment for professional musicians, recording studios and sound system engineers. It markets its products under the brand names dbx, Lexicon Pro, DigiTech and DOD. Harman Music Group is a subsidiary of Harman International Industries.

Cirrus Logic and Cirrus are trademarks of Cirrus Logic Inc. All other product names noted herein may be trademarks of their respective holders.